Summer School Student Review

A really friendly firm who were happy to help and offer up some really interesting work and experiences. I managed to get the opportunity to visit the Court of Appeal twice during the two weeks as well as doing research, drafting and blogging.

RPC immediately gave me so much responsibility treating meas part of the firm as soon as I arrived. I spent a week in each department and was amazed how many people I had managed to talk to and complete work for over the two weeks. On the last day I went around the office saying bye to people and realised how much I already felt part of the firm.

We were assigned the trainees from the department which were a great port of call and willing to answer any queries we had as well as giving us some interesting work to do. Due to the open plan nature of the firm, I had exposure to lots of people in the firm and therefore received a variety of work and guidance.

I was given constructive feedback after some of the tasks I completed and these tips I will be able to apply in my current job as a paralegal. The structured programme of events was really useful for developing networking and presentation skills as well as promoting team-working values.

It was clear from the outset how the programme was going to unfold and you always knew where you were meant to be at any particular time. There was a good mix of activities both work related and social events which really helped you to get to know the whole team. We spent each of the two weeks in a different department, one commercial and one insurance to give us an insight about the differences between the departments and a flavour of the whole firm.

I cannot stress how friendly I found all the employees at the firm, from admin staff, trainees to the partners there was nobody unwilling to help or offer assistance, a truly friendly bunch. RPC has a work-hard play-hard atmosphere and a real team spirit and an eagerness to get you involved.

We were exposed to some structured team-working exercises, we were also consistently given access to networking events in order to meet a wide variety of people from across the firm, yet these events were performed differently, some were informal lunches whilst one was a speed networking event. Also the presentation exercise was particularly useful as we were presenting in front of and being subjected to questions by the partners and directors of the firm. However, individual feedback during the week would be a good improvement to the scheme at this stage.

I could see exactly how the firm would operate and once again the open plan office allows you to see how everybody in the firm works and interacts. You are not isolated in an office alone or kept as a group of vac scheme students twiddling your thumbs away from the actual work in the departments.

We were set group tasks to get to investigate and understand the firm's culture, allowed to experience it first hand as our desks were split up around the department and had your name on it before you arrived. We were also given talks about the culture, brand and different departments within the firm. Also the mix of social and work events gave you an insight into the lifestyle you would experience as a lawyer at RPC.

We were reimbursed £275 a week. this was fine for me as I already had accommodation but some people on the scheme commented that this was not sufficient to cover accommodation for the two weeks.

As above, we had a variety of different types of networking events and exposure to people within the firm. This was true of all employees within the firm from trainees, associates to partners and directors. Again, the open plan office helped with networking and talking to a variety of people.

There was a variety of networking style events, from more relaxed ones with the trainees in the evening after work, to several networking lunches each with a variety of lawyers present. there was also a speed networking event which was good to get to experience those areas of the firm that you didn't have chance to experience first hand during the two weeks.

We were exposed to social events outside of work but not informed of actual events such as the sporting events on offer etc.

Absolutely! RPC is a firm which really welcomes you and is truly friendly- something I didn't expect from a city law firm. There was a variety of worthwhile work to complete and some brilliant experiences to have been exposed to.